One of the lowest points in Lady Vols history was their overtime, 79-75 loss to Virginia in the 1990 East Regional final. A victory would have put the Lady Vols in the Final Four, which was being held in Knoxville that year. But 1991 was a new year and the Lady Vols responded with a new result. After dispatching Stanford, the previous season's champion, 68-60 in the semifinals in New Orleans, Tennessee battled the Cavaliers from Virginia for the title. This time the Lady Vols got the job done, albeit in overtime again, defeating the Wahoos 70-67 to earn Pat Summitt and Tennessee their third NCAA Championship in five years.

The game was close throughout, with UT leading at the half, 27-26. The Lady Vols pulled ahead in the second half, but UVA, behind the inspired play of the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, Dawn Staley, came surging back to knot it at 60 at the end of regulation time. The overtime period was Dena Head's chance to shine for Tennessee, though, and the Lady Vols prevailed, 70-67.

Head and Staley both totaled 28 points in the final while Daedra Charles single-handedly outscored Virginia's heralded duo of Heather and Heide Burge with 19 points to their combined 18. Charles also grabbed 12 rebounds while Lisa Harrison snagged 13. Wade Trophy winner Charles joined Head on the All-Championship squad.